Tools for compressing large uploads

[Yorgos]

Most of the mods available in CivFanatics are compressed with zip. Thus their size is very large and they are difficult to download. So let me propose a few programs which can compress your files to self-extracting archives. This way your mods will not only become easier to download, but also simpler to install and will gain an almost professional look. They're all freeware; though there are registered versions for the first two, the unregistered ones can easily be used for packaging mods.

Install Creator
This program was used to compress Warhammer. It's very simple to use, though its compression rate is inferior to Paquet Builder.
Paquet Builder
It's a very powerful but somewhat complicated program and has very high compression rate (with 7zip). A few features are unavailable in the freeware edition, but it's still very good.
Nullsoft Scriptable Install System
It was used to compress Fall from Heaven (civ4). It's a scriptable installer, using C++ language. Recommended if you have programming experience.

Of course there must be more similar good freeware programs available, these three are simply the programs I found.

I recently used Paquet Builder to compress Midgard 1.1 (check my signature). Let me show you what was the size difference, depending on the compression method:
Uncompressed: 186 MB
Compressed with zip: 120 MB
Compressed with rar: 104 MB
Install Creator: 101 MB
Paquet Builder: 89 MB

I think it's obvious the advantage of using an installation builder instead of zip. I strongly recommend it for mods. It should also be useful for making large sets of leaderheads or units.

 

[GoodGame]

Thanks this should be a forum "sticky".

I noticed this problem trying to upload a mod with the 10/30MB upload limits to civfanatics. Leaderhead flics are the main culprit, but it sure limits one's desire to do a simple mod since places like 3DDownlods (still haven't replied to my email in weeks for file space) aren't too great.

A generic modding utility to interface directly with civfanatics's file library would be great too. It'd be great to have something to eliminate redudant file storage of leaderheads and unit graphics that get recycled for different mods/scenarios. Basically something to automate the user downloading the files your mod needs, without re-uploading for your own distribution package.

 

[mrtn]

GoodGame, try to send a pm to Thunderfall about getting it uploaded.

 

[polyphemus]

You might want to include this thread in the Computer talk forums, it there, there is a stickied forum that users tell other what programs they think work best and such...